Baby Alyssa

Alyssa Caitlin Renee Allison Ahkinga was born Aug. 19, 2000, to CIRI shareholder Lane Okpealuk and Jamie Ahkinga. Alyssa weighed seven pounds, eight ounces and was 19 inches in length.

Melissa Vallee to Attend UW School of Medicine

CIRI descendant Melissa G. Vallee has been accepted to the University of Washington, School of Medicine, WWAMI program beginning this fall. Melissa’s hope is to practice primary care in Alaska. Melissa graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in Russian language. She served as a senator for UAA student government, vice president of the Russian Club, and was involved in the American Indian Science & Engineering Society. For the past two summers, she has worked at the Alaska Native Medical Center. She is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Carol L. Vallee, of Anchorage, and the granddaughter of CIRI elder Grace Vallee and Bill Vallee.

Ginger Hazen Graduates Magna Cum Laude

CIRI descendant Virginia (Ginger) Hazen graduated Magna Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Florida State University on May 2. Ginger, who is the daughter of Janice O’Keefe Hazen and the late Jack Robert Hazen, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She graduated from Ponca City High School, where she was co-editor of the Ponca newspaper and involved in the drama program. She and her family thank The CIRI Foundation for the scholarship support she received in the pursuit of her degrees.

Tiffany Stonecipher Graduates from Culinary Arts Program

Tiffany Stonecipher, daughter of CIRI shareholders Jonathan and Sheri Liebenthal, recently graduated from a two-year Culinary Arts Program at the Art Institute of Seattle. After graduating from Ninilchik High School, she loaded her car and drove to Seattle and worked two jobs while attending school. She is currently the assistant manager of Noah’s Bagels and plans to stay in Seattle for the time being. Tiffany’s wish is to go to Spain and train under a chef there. Her long-term goal is to become a master chef of the world, of which there are only 52. Her family in Ninilchik is very proud of her and anticipates a few trips home as the food she prepares is divine!

Baby Lauren Ross

Lauren Elizabeth “Nenshla” Ross was born Feb. 17, 2003, to shareholder Jonathon and Leanndra Ross of Peters Creek, Alaska. Lauren weighed six pounds, 11 ounces and was 19 and a half inches long. Her grandparents are Alan and Linda Ross (Mann) of Kodiak and Paul and Mary Bergeron of Peters Creek. Lauren takes part of her name in remembrance of her great-great aunt Elizabeth Wilson.

Randy Wanamaker Renews
Environmental Certification

CIRI shareholder Randy Wanamaker has been re-certified as a registered environmental assessor first class by the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control. Registered environmental assessors are required to undergo competency review every five years. Randy is the environmental programs and permitting manager for Gateway Technologies, Inc., a Juneau-based environmental services company. He is certified in the fields of assessment, prevention, monitoring and control for mining reclamation and tailings management, air emissions, surface and groundwater contamination, risk reduction, underground tanks, site assessment, soil contamination and waste disposal. Randy is also a certified professional geologist, a former employee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Geological Survey. He is also an assembly member for the City and Borough of Juneau.